Plastic bag fabricating, dispensing and sealing unit

ABSTRACT

A plastic bag fabricating, dispensing and sealing unit includes a housing formed with a compartment and closed with a hinged lid that receives a cartridge containing a roll of double-layered folded plastic film open at one side. A wire mounted on the housing extends along an insulating strip. A circuit to heat the wire is energized by closing and pressing the lid against the housing. An insulating strip on the lid presses the plastic film against the heated wire, thereby severing and sealing the layers of plastic film to form a bag. After filling the bag, the remaining opening therein can be sealed by inserting it between the housing and lid and closing and pressing the lid against the housing.

[ 1 Feb. 19, 1974 Elnited States Patent [191 Freeman [54] PLASTIC BAGFABRICATING, DISPENSING 3,645,385 2/1972Bushnell............................ 206/52 R AND SEALING UNIT V m nG 0ms SU mm m r mB .m mm w F am .mt m mm mm E,a w am& .mme f u PAh d R m l.12 .m0 r1 A1 B N 3 m 8%9 e 1 rN F 6 Me c r 6 M60 0 m w m m H Me P 7 2ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 205,109

A plastic bag fabricating, dispensing and sealing unit includes ahousing formed with a compartment and closed with a hinged lid thatreceives a cartridge containing a roll of double-layered folded plasticfilm open at one side. A wire mounted on the housing extends along aninsulating strip. A circuit to heat the wire is energized by closing andpressing the lid against the housing. An insulating strip on the lidpresses the plastic film against the heated wire, thereby severing andsealing the layers of plastic film to form a bag. After filling the bag,the remaining opening therein can be sealed by inserting it between mm mMR4 w y w 54 .mm 0 m o .EM 8 M68,

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the housing and lid and closing and pressing the lid against thehousing.

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Osborn, Jr. Crowell...

PATENTED FEB 1 9 i914 SHEEI 1 BF 5 FIG. 5

PATENTEDFEBI 9 I974 SHEET 5 [IF 5 JZ 370 Ma PLASTIC BAG FABRICATING,DISPENSING AND SEALING UNIT This is a (x) divisional, of applicationSer. No. 82,621 filed Oct. 21, 1970 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally tofabricating, dispensing and sealing units for plastic bags that may beused to fabricate the bags in a size desired by the user. The easilyoperated portable unit utilizes a heated wire for simultaneously sealingand severing the dispensed bags and includes safety features that aredesirable for home use.

A major problem faced by the modern homemaker is that of findingsuitable packaging for storing or disposing of any number of consumergoods. A material found to be inexpensive and effectively liquid-tightfor packaging is plastic film formed of polyethylene, polypropylene, orother partially crystalline thermoplastics. Increasingly popular andalmost indispensible items in todays society for home use are bagsfabricated from such material. Because of the many practical uses towhich such bags can be put, more than one bag size is essential.

One method to supply desired sizes of bags involves prefabricating anumber of bags of different sizes and packaging those bags in a separatecontainer for each size, or including a number of different sized bagsin a single container. Whichever method is used, the consumer is stillforced to purchase bags that are pre-sized and that do not necessarilyfit every use to which the bags may be put. A desirable alternative tosupplying presized bags is that of providing a unit from which bags ofany desired size can be selected.

Thermal sealing of adjacent edges of separate plastic sheets is thesimplest and least expensive method to fabricate bags from plastic film.In mass production, a continuous web of plastic films is normally used,with sealing or severing means operating to produce either separate bagsor a plurality of connected bags in a single web.

In the prior art the primary method of heat sealing is to combine heatand pressure to form a tight seal along the edges of two adjacent sheetsof plastic film. In the general application of this method, pressure isapplied to the plastic sheets either directly or indirectly inconjunction with the heat. One form of this method is known as impulsesealing, in which heat and pressure are applied simultaneously by asingle element. Heat at a sufficiently high temperature is applieddirectly across a web of plastic sheets, the temperature and exposuretime being critical factors for providing a tight seal and forseparating the fabricated bag from the web. Another form of prior artheat sealing uses a dielectric means operating in conjunction with apressure element. A high requency electromagnetic field surrounds theportion of the sheets to be sealed, thereby applying heat at thosepoints while pressure is simultaneously applied. In this latter methodthere is no direct contact between the heating means and the plasticsheets.

The most commonly used method for sealing plastic sheets is the impulsemethod even though it usually requires complicated equipment for closelycontrolling the exposure time and the temperature of the directlyapplied heat. The impulse method is desirable because of its speed ofoperation and utilization of a single element for both the heating andpressure stages.

In conventional prior art devices that are used for prefabricating anddispensing bags, tubular rolls of plastic film are unwound a certaindistance before the bagmaking process can begin. If such an unwound rollis dropped, which can frequently happen during the loading operation,the plastic film unwinds further and must be wound again. Such aprocedure is time consuming, especially since the roll must be rewoundcarefully.

Oftentimes the leading end of the web is difficult to grasp on anunwound roll, because the plastic sheets are formed from thin material.Also, a roll that is exposed during the loading process can easilybecome contaminated.

The optimum dispensing device for plastic bags must be simple, asfool-proof as possible in operation, and include ample safety featuresto prevent the dispensing unit from being actuated at unwanted times. Itmay also advantageously include means to prevent overheating of theheating element if the device is inadvertently maintained in operatingposition for too longa period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is provided, in accordance with theinvention, a novel and improved unit for fabricating, dispensing andsealing plastic bags of a desired size. A housing is formed of plasticor other suitable material that is lightweight, durable and attractive.In essence, the housing includes a compartment enclosed by a lid toreceive a cartridge which contains a roll of plastic film. A wireincluded in an electric circuit is energized by switches closed byinsertion of the cartridge and closure of the lid. If desired, anadditional switch may be used to prevent the wire from being heatedabove a predetermined maximum temperature.

The invention utilizes the impulses method of sealing for fabricatingplastic bags. However, as a result of the unique design of the unit theadvantages of this method are incorporated into the unit without thenormal accompanying complicated equipment for controlling thetemperature of the wire and the length of time the plastic film isexposed to the wire. In the unit the electric circuit employs a simpleswitch to energize the wire with the operator of the unit acting as thetimer.

In one embodiment of the invention, the electric circuit includes areadily replaceable high resistance wire, preferably wire sold under thetrademark Nichrome, mounted on a resilient strip on the housing andengaged by another resilient strip on the lid. Two switches are providedfor controlling the flow of electric current, a safety switch and a lidactuated sealing switch. The safety switch is normally open, but isclosed when the cartridge containing the roll of plastic film isinserted into its compartment. The actuator for the safety switch islocated at a point in the compartment not easily accessible, therebyeffectively preventing current from flowing through the heating devicewhen the cartridge is removed from the compartment and the lid closed.

The normally open sealing switch is closed when the lid is moved to itscompartment closing position and pressed against the housing. Thenormally open sealing switch prevents the heating wire from beingenergized until the operator has unwound enough plastic film forfabrication of a bag of the desired size. When the lid is closed andpressed against the housing, electric current flows through the wirewhich then seals portions of the plastic film along both sides of thewire and severs those portions to form a bag.

In a modified form of the invention, a normally closed limit switch isopened by expansion of the wire when it reaches a predetermined maximumoperating temperature. In this manner, the heat level of the wire ismaintained between desired limits, thereby preventing a hazardouscondition from arising due to overheatmg.

The roll of plastic film contained in the cartridge consists of twolayers of film formed by folding a singlelayered sheet along itslongitudinal axis and winding the resulting double-layered plastic film.As will be described in more detail below, bags are thus formed withthree closed edges and one edge open, ready to receive any number ofconsumer items for storage or disposal.

The lid includes a unique hinge arrangement that provides a slot betweenthe rear portion of the lid and the housing when the lid is both openand closed. This feature permits bags being sealed to protrude out therear of the housing, thereby facilitating closure and severing ofplastic film, and fabrication of bags from plastic film other than thatcontained in the cartridge.

The electric circuit may include both audible and visible indicators toindicate to the operator when electric current is actually flowingthrough the heating wire, i.e., when the safety switch and sealingswitch are closed.

As mentioned above, the roll of plastic fiIm is preferably prepackagedin a disposable cartridge, which can be fabricated from an inexpensivebut rigid material such as cardboard or plastic which also functions topackage the film. The cartridge is sealed to prevent contamination ofthe plastic film, the lead end of which is passed through a slot in thecartridge and removably adhered to the outer surface thereof in adesired manner, for example by a strip of adhesive tape which alsocovers the slot. Alternatively, the slot may be covered by an overlyingflap that is adapted to be torn from the cartridge. Inv this manner, adust-proof pollution-proof container is provided, with the lead end ofthe plastic film being easily grasped. Cartridges carrying film ofdifferent widths can be used for the unit, thereby facilitating thefabrication of bags of different depths as well as bags of differentlengths.

Within the cartridge the plastic film may be mounted on a core formed ofa rigid material such as polyethylene plastic. An indexing deviceprovided in conjunction with the core indicates to the operator when aspecified length of plastic film has been unwound. Retaining means inthe cartridge compartment and on the cartridge may also be provided toreleasably hold the cartridge in position.

These and other objects of this invention and advantages andcapabilities thereof will be apparent from the following description ofthe preferred embodiments, appended claims, and accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a plastic bag fabricating, dispensingand sealing unit embodying the invention in which the lid is in itsclosed position, one side of the housing being partially cut away;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1 but with the lidin its open position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of an electric circuit includedwithin the unit;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view similar to that in FIG. 3 and showinga modified switching arrangement for the electric circuit,

FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electric circuit shown inFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cartridge which is inserted into theplastic bag fabricating, dispensing and sealing device, the cartridgebeing illustrated in open position;

FIG. 11 shows the cartridge of FIG. 10 in closed position;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the cartridge taken along the line 12-l2in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another cartridge in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal section of the cartridge of FIG. 13 inposition in the plastic bag fabricating, dispensing and sealing device,the section being taken along the view line I414 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 15 is an end view of the plastic bag fabricating, dispensing andsealing device with the cartridge of FIG. 13 in place and partiallybroken away to illustrate certain details; and

FIG. 16 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the cartridge andplastic bag fabricating, dispensing and sealing device showing structurefor retaining the cartridge in position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The bag fabricatingand dispensing device as generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises amain housing generally designated by the numeral 10. Side panels 12,back panel 14, bottom panel 16, and front portion 18 form the housing10. As best illustrated in FIG. 2 and 6, the side panels 12, the backpanel 14, the bottom 16, and an inner front wall 20 define a compartment22.

Located within compartment 22 is a cartridge 26 in which a roll 23 ofplastic film 24 is prepackaged, a more detailed description of whichwill be presented below. Between the wall 20 and the inner wall of thefront portion 18 is the electric circuit compartment 28, best shown inFIGS. 5 and 6.

Attached to the housing 10 by means of hinges 30 is a lid 32. Each hingeincludes a flange member 34 which projects inwardly from andperpendicular to the bottom face of the lid 32. Each flange member 34includes an extension 36 integral therewith that projects transverselyacross the lid and is connected by a pivot pin 38 to the inner face ofthe side panel 12. By utilizing this type of hinge arrangement, a slot40, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, is provided between the inner face ofthe lid 32 and the outer rear face of the back panel 14 when the lid 32is open position. In addition, the back panel 14 is slightly shorter inheight than the other compartment walls, as best illustrated in FIG. 5,thereby providing a slot 41 between the lower face of the rearward endof lid 32 and back panel 14 when lid 32 is closed, as best illustratedin FIG. 5.

By means of the slots 40 and 41, dispensed bags can be sealed, and bagsother than those dispensed from the unit can also be sealed, such bagsbeing able to protrude through the slot and from the rearward portion ofthe unit.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hinges 30 also enable the lid 32 to beclosed flush against the upper edges of the housing 10, therebyproviding for easy operation and storage and for a pleasing aestheticappearance.

Along the upper front edge 42 of the housing in a groove 43 extends aresilient insulating strip or platen 44, which can be a type of thermalinsulated tape formed for example of a silicon elastomer material. Thestrip 44, for best operation, should combine the properties offlexibility, resilience, and tensile strength over a wide temperaturerange. Extending along the strip 44, substantially down its center line,is a wire 46 which, preferably, is a high resistance wire formed of amaterial sold under the trademark Nichrome."

The roll 23 of plastic film 24 is encased in the cartridge 26 and formedofa single web of plastic film that has been folded in half along itslongitudinal axis, thereby providing a double-layed plastic film open atone side. In order to fabricate bags in an efficient manner from aplastic film so formed, both edges adjacent to the point of filmseparation must be sealed in the same manner. In this manner, both thetrailing edge of the severed bag and the leading edge of the plasticfilm are sealed simultaneously, thereby providing a bag with one openingat the top (the nonsealed edge of the double-layered plastic film).

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, the heating wire 46 is attachedwith metal ring connectors 48 at each end, the ring connectors fittingover resilient posts 50 and 51 that are included in an electric circuitthat operates to energize and heat the wire 46. The wire 46 may readilybe removed and replaced in case of wear or damage.

A resilient strip 54 extends along the front end of the lid 32 and fitsin a groove 52 over a longitudinal projection 53. When the lid isclosed, the strip 54 engages the wire 46 and strip 44, which extendsalong the upper front edge of the housing 10. To facilitate closure ofthe lid, a handle or grip 56, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, extendsalong the lid 32. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, when the lid 32 ispressed against the housing, the plastic film will be held between thestrips 44 and 54. When the wire is heated, as described below, a plasticbag will be severed from the roll of plastic film 24.

Extending downwardly from the lid 32 is an actuating rod 58 which, aswill be described below, is capable of closing the electric circuit andenergizing the wire 46 upon closure of the lid 32. A pilot light windowis also provided in the lid to make visible an indicating light that isenergized when the unit is in operation, as will be described below.

The electrical heating circuit used to energize the wire 46, shown inFIG. 7, includes a plug 108 attached by conductors 110 and 112 toswitches 100 and 106, respectively. The primary of a transformer 102 isconnected by lines 122 and 134 to the switches 100 and 106, and thetransformer secondary is connected by lines 126 and 132 to the posts 50and 51, respectively, on which the wire 42 is mounted. An indicatorlight 104 is connected in parallel with the wire 46 by lines 140 and 142across the conductors 126 and 132.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the safety switch includes a contact arm 116joined to the line and held in a recess 119 in the compartment 28. Aresilient actuator 116a of the contact 116 extends into the plastic filmcompartment 2 so that insertion of the cartridge 26 bends the actuator116a into engagement with a contact 118 to close the safety switch 100.Since the switch 100 is located in a remote and not readily accessibleposition, the unit cannot be inadvertently energized before one of thecartridges 26 is inserted into the compartment 22.

The sealing switch 106, shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, preferably comprises aconventional microswitch having a contact arm 136 that actuates aplunger 138 to close the switch. The rod 58 attached to the lid 32extends through an opening 42a in the housing, when the lid is closed,to engage the arm 136 and close the switch when the lid is pressedagainst the housing. This results in energization of the heating wire46, the indicator light 104, and buzzing of the transformer 102. Suchbuzzing is caused by forming the transformer 102 with loosely clampedcore pieces, whereby the magnetic effects of the alternating currentcauses a buzzing action.

A modified electric heating circuit for the wire 46 is shown in FIGS. 8and 9. The circuit is similar to that described above but, in addition,a limit or timing switch 144, preferably a microswitch, is insertedbetween the conductor 132 and a movable post 51a. The switch 144includes an arm 146 engaging a cam-like protrusion 148 on the post 51a.The arm 146 operates a switch plunger 151. With the wire 46 in position,a movable post 51a, normally biased laterally outwardly, is urgedlaterally inwardly to cause the switch arm 146 to depress the plunger151 and maintain the switch 144 closed, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Afterthe wire has been heated to a predetermined temperature, it expands andpermits the post 51a to move outwardly, thereby opening the switch 144and opening the circuit to the wire 46. The length of the wire 46 andthe bias of the post 51a is adjusted so that a sealing and severingoperation will occur prior to opening of the switch 144. Afterinterruption of the circuit by the switch 144, the transformer willcease buzzing and the indicator light will go out, thereby advising theoperator that the plastic bag has been severed and sealed. If the lid 32is not opened, the electric circuit will recycle but no damage ispossible.

Referring in greater detail to FIGS. 10 through 12, the cartridge 26contains a pre-packaged roll 23 of plastic film 24. The cartridge 26includes end walls 200, and side walls 202, 204, 206 and 210, 212.Mounted on the inner surfaces of the end walls 200 are annular flangesor stub axles 208 on which rotate the roll of plastic film 24.

Three of the side walls are integral portions of a single piece ofcardboard or plastic material, with the fourth side wall being formed bya top flap 210 extending from the front side wall 202 and a top flap 212extending from the back side wall 204. When the cartridge is in finalassembled form, as best illustrated in FIG. 11, the flaps 210 and 212together form the top side wall and overlap to form a slot 214. Throughthe I slot 214 extends the lead end 216 of the roll 23. A strip ofadhesive material 218 overlies the slot 214 and lead end 216 to retainthe lead end in a fixed position and seal the cartridge 26. A tab 220 isprovided at one end of the strip 218 so that a user can easily grasp thetab and pull the strip of material off to expose the lead end 216 of theplastic film. With this arrangement, to begin fabricating bags, thecartridge 26 is inserted into the compartment 22, the tab 220 pulled toremove the strip 218, and the lead end 216 grasped to draw as much ofthe plastic film 24 as desired from the roll 23.

The plastic film 24 is wound around a core 222, forming a part of theroll 23, the ends of which fit in telescopic relation over the annularflanges 208. The core 222 is preferably formed of a rigid material suchas polyethylene. On the surface of one of the annular flange members 208is provided one or more indentations 224. Extending from the innersurface of the core 222 in corresponding relation to the indentations224 is a resilient detent 226. As the plastic film 24 is unwound, thedetent 226 is urged outwardly by the outer surface of the annular flangemember 208. However, when the detent 226 reaches an indentation 224, itsnaps back to its normal unbiased position causing an audible click" andcatching in the indentation 224 to indicate generally to the operatorwhen a specified length of plastic film 24 has been unwound, therebyindexing the roll.

Referring to another plastic film cartridge 26a as shown in detail inFIGS. 13 through 16, the cartridge 26a includes end walls 300 and sidewalls 302, 304, 306 and 310, 312. Formed integrally with and extendingin wardly from the end surfaces 300 are stub axles 308 on which rotate apre-packaged roll 32a of the plastic film 24. While indexing elementshave not been shown in the cartridge 26a to facilitate measurement ofthe plas tic film 24 withdrawn therefrom, it will be understood thatsuch elements may be provided as described in connection with FIGS.through 12.

The side walls are integral portions of a single piece of cardboard orplastic material with a top flap 310 extending from the back side wall304 and a top flap 312 extending from the front side wall 302 andoverlying the flap 310 to form the top side wall. Formed in the flap 310is a slot 313 having an enlarged opening 314 to enable a user to graspand withdraw the plastic film 24. To cover the slot 313 and prevententry of dirt into the cartridge, the flap 312 is releasably affixed byglue portions 315 to the flap 310. By perforations or other suitablemeans, the flap 312 is weakened along line 316. The portion of flap 312adjacent to the side wall 302 is securely glued to the underlying flap310.

A protrusion 320, formed integrally with each end wall 300 adjacent itslower edge, is positioned above a slot 321 in a flange 300a extendingperipherally around the end wall. Flexible hook-like prongs 322extending upwardly from the bottom panel 16 of the main housing, andpreferably formed integrally with the panel, are adapted to pass throughthe slots 321 and be sprung outwardly by the protrusions 320, and thento hook over such protrusions to releasably hold the cartridge 26a inposition.

With the foregoing arrangement, to begin fabricating bags the cartridge26a is inserted into the compartment 22 and the prongs 322 will extendthrough the slots 321 and hook over the protrusions 320 to accuratelyposition and hold the cartridge 26a in the compartment. The user maythen grasp the flap 312 and tear it along the weakened line 316 toexpose the slot 313 and opening 314. The plastic film 24 may then begrasped and pulled from the cartridge.

Note that both cartridges 26 and 260 function as packages for the film24. In other words, additional packaging is unnecessary, andinstructions and advertising may be printed directly on the side wallsof the cartridges.

For convenience, the fabricating, dispensing and sealing unit may behung on a wall by means of holes 62 provided in the bottom 16 of thehousing 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Or the device may rest on itsbottom 16 on a kitchen counter or table.

When not in use and with or without one of the cartridges 26 or 260being positioned within the compartment 22, the unit may be stored withits lid 32 in open or closed position because the sealing switch willnot operate without additional pressure on the lid 32 to cause the rod58 to actuate the switch arm 136.

In operation, when the cartridge 26 is inserted into the compartment 22,the actuator 116a of the safety switch is forced against the contact118. A desired amount 0F double-layered plastic film 24 is then drawnfrom the cartridge 26 and the lid 32 closed and pressed against thehousing. The rod 58 then urges the contact arm 136 against the switchplunger 136 to close the sealing switch 106, and electric current flowsthrough the seallng and severing wire 46. At the same time, theresilient strip 54 presses the film 24 against the wire 46 and theresilient strip 44 and in a few seconds, during which the light 104 andthe buzzing transformer 102 indicate current flow, the film 24 is sealedand severed. The bag formed by this operation is then removed from theunit and the lid 32 is released. With little experience, the operatorlearns the optimum time for the sealing and severing operation,especially due to the helpfulness of the audio-visual indicators.

After filling the bag, the open edge may be placed along the strip 44,the lid 32 again closed and pressed against the housing, and the bagsealed by the heated wire 46.

In operation of the modified embodiment ef FIGS. 8 and 9, the wire 46heats to a predetermined temperature and then expands to enable the post510 to move outwardly (FIG. 8), thereby opening the switch 144 andinterrupting the flow of current through the wire 46. The bag may thenbe taken from the unit.

While the invention has been described in connection with differentembodiments thereof, it will be understood that the plastic bagfabrlcating and dispensing unit is capable of further modification. Thisapplication is intended to cover any variatlons, uses, or adaptations ofthe invention following, in general, the principles of the invention andIncluding such departures from the present disclosure as come withinknown or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains.Variations of the invention that may be applied to the essentialfeatures hereinbefore set forth and that fall within the scope of theinvention or within the limits of the appended claimS are alsocontemplated within this application.

I claim:

1. A disposable cartridge for use in a plastic bag fabricating,dispensing and sealing unit comprising a housing formed by two end wallsand four side walls, a roll of double-layered plastic film open at oneside in the housing, a slot in one of the side walls for withdrawing theplastic film from the cartridge, and retaining means formed on the endwalls, said retaining means beingadapted to cooperate with retainingmeans in said unit 3. A cartridge as defined in claim 1, in which slotsare to releasably hold the cartridge therein. provided in the cartridgeto cooperate with the retain- 2. A cartridge as defined in claim 1, inwhich the car ing means to accurately position the cartridge in saidtridge retaining means comprises protrusions on said unit.

end walls. 5

33 33 SQ-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent:No. 3,79 ,77 Dated 9, 97

Inventofls) Max Freeman It is certified that errorappears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Col. 1, line t, "(:c) divisional, should read --division--; line 56,"requency" should read --frequency-. Col. 2, line 37, "impulses" shouldread --impulse--. Col. 5, line 13, "silicon" should be -silico ne--.Col. 6, line 5, -."2" should be "22". C01. 8, line 2O, "05" should be--of the---; line #0, "ef" should read -of--; 1in-e'52, "Including"should be --including--.

I Signed and sealed this 13th day of August 197 (SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A disposable cartridge for use in a plastic bag fabricating,dispensing and sealing unit comprising a housing formed by two end wallsand four side walls, a roll of double-layered plastic film open at oneside in the housing, a slot in one of the side walls for withdrawing theplastic film from the cartridge, and retaining means formed on the endwalls, said retaining means being adapted to cooperate with retainingmeans in said unit to releasably hold the cartridge therein.
 2. Acartridge as defined in claim 1, in which the cartridge retaining meanscomprises protrusions on said end walls.
 3. A cartridge as defined inclaim 1, in which slots are provided in the cartridge to cooperate withthe retaining means to accurately position the cartridge in said unit.